The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-17

But long before he got near enough
10 do any good, he heard the rush OF
the coming train. and his heart almost
stopped beating as he stood still TO
listen.
Would they see the lantern, and
heed itp or would they rush on to de-
structionp
On and on; Bob was neatly frantic
nearer and nearer-and now he knew
by the sound they must have reach the
curve which first brought the school
house In sight.
Then came the sharp whistle for
down brakes" and Bob knew that
the snowman was still on duty-that
his signal had been seen, and that they
were slowing up in safety.
Now he ran with all his might, and
great delight and thankfulness at the
success of his plan gave wings to his
feet. so that he almost flew in the face
of the wind and snow, and few min
utes more brought him to the spot
where the painting, Kissing engine
stood, and where he heard the puzzled
engineer telling the equally puzzled
conductor and passengers that the in
slant he rounded the curve he saw the
lantern and whistled for the brakes;
and when he got off TO see what was
the matter, the first thing that met his
eyes was the fallen tree. lying across
the track, and when he called out to
the man with the lantern, he received
no reply.
II called TO him several times; but as
he did not speak or stir. | began to
think he was deaf and dumb. So |
came up to find out, and I'll be hanged
If he was anything more or less than
. snow man. and the only soul in sight.
WELL" laughed the conductor, 81
never heard before that snowmen had
souls; but wouldn't dare to say that
this one hadn't, for he has saved us all
all from destruction, that's pretty
certain"
Presently he saw Bob, and asked
him what he knew about the affair,
where-upon the painting, excited boy
found voice enough to tell them how
he had heard the tree fall rs he was
going home from the village, and had
left his lantern on the snowman's arm,
and then had come back rs soon as he
could.
"But don't see," said the engineer,
''why in the name of common sense
you didn't stay and warn us yourself. "
Because | was taking some medi-
cine to my father, who is very sick.
was Bob's answer And he continued,
'My little cousin was with me, but l
was afraid he might lose the med cine
he is so small; and | was afra to
leave him here with tho lantern. for fear
he might get frightened and not warn
you in time, so had to leave it to the
snowman and go myself and | came
back Just as fast rs | could.
"Well. my boy." said the conductor,
'you and your snowman have in all
probability saved good many lives to-
night. and we shall remember it. And
now" said he, addressing the group of
men who had been listening to Bob's
story, "we must clear the track and
make the next station rs soon rs posi-
ble."
OF course il did not take half dozen
men, with as many axes taken from the
baggage-car very long to cut section
the width OF the track out of the fallen
tree; and as they worked, they talked
to Bob, and praised HIM, and asked
him questions, until they were in fair
way to turn his head.
In less time than it takes to tell 1t,
the track was clear, everybody was on
board. and Just as they started. the
conductor threw II parcel at our hero
feet, and shouted ''Good-by!" and Bob
was alone.
The snowman still held the lantern,
and by its light he opened the package.
and, to his aston,sliment. found himself
the possessor of twenty dollars.
OF course, he had to tell his story
half dozen times over ut home that
night. and ut school next day he found
himself quite famous, and tho snow
man received great deal of attention.
not only from the school-boys, but also
from tho trains. the next two or three
DAYS.
Bob felt very happy over all this,
but his delight was unbounded when,
one day. week later, train stopped
at the school-housc, and a gentleman
came to the door and called for ''Mr
Robert Merritt" whereupon. being
duly informed by the teacher. that indi-
vidual went slowly and bashfully TO the
door, and was handed box containing
fine silver watch. with his monogram
beautifully engraved on one side. and
an almost exact representation OF the
snowman, with the lantern on his arm,
on the other side.
The teacher and the whole school
were almost as much pleased as Bob